I'm currently trying to make a manifest deck as an alternative. Suggestions are appreciated. If you're more interested in the pre-manifest list or Brago in general, please check the content beneath his picture.
This is my experimental list. It's surprisingly powerful. The explosive power of mana rocks is a phenomenon when you intend to tap it twice per turn. Speaking of turn, Mastery of the Unseen turns out to be the most powerful manifest card in this deck. I once manifested fours cards per turn with it (Scroll Rack four bombs, then activate Nykthos and a bunch of mana rocks.) With this amount of mana rocks, it's quite common for me to drop Brago on the second turn which means I can blink the manifest card on the third turn. There was a game where I kept a hand with only one land yet I won.
turn 1: plains -> Mana Vault -> Sol Ring -> Talisman of Progress -> Mastery
For this deck, there is no possible replacement for Brago. This is because we're running a next level blink viz. doesn't only blink creature but also other types of permanent as well. To be clear, I'm not arguing that this play style is the best possible way to utilise Brago. By extension, I'm not arguing that this is the best way to play white-blue. My position is simply that there is no general that can do what Brago can do, thus, he's necessarily the best at what he does, and we’re exploiting this fact.
The concept of next level blink is exploiting the possibilities that have been essentially left untouched pre-Brago. The two most notable are blinking planeswalker and blinking enchantment.
Blinking planeswalker allows one to activate its loyalty ability once more on the ground that it’s technically a new planeswalker. Think of it this way, in a non-skeleton format, one can activate a loyalty ability of, say, Karn Liberated then cast another Karn from hand. This new Karn is a new Karn so its ability has not been activated yet. This is also the case with blinking planeswalker except for the fact that you don’t have to recast anything (no card disadvantage, no mana disadvantage, no possible counter spell etc.)
Blinking enchantment is less spectacular, but can be crucially cruel. Blinking Act of Authority turns it into an arguably best artifact/enchantment removal. Blinking Reality Acid basically beg one to laugh like a supervillain. There are also those that I’m calling combat aura e.g. Unquestioned Authority which doesn’t only protect Brago, allowing him to sneak in some combat damage, but also become a decent draw engine. Huge bonus that most of our enchantment can be brought back by Sun Titan
Deck History
1. Classical Route
I wasn’t the first person to build this deck in this site, but I was the first who focus on the next level aspect. It took advantage of those cards that are generally subpar on their own such as Mystic Remora and Reality Acid and let Brago helps them achieve their full potentials. I’m doing this while observing how decent cards brought madness to the table with Brago. To name a few: Treachery, Basalt Monolith and Tangle Wire. I have all three oneshot stones, that is, mana rocks that don’t untap at the untap step, in my deck. (FOR REFERENCE: Mana Vault, Grim Monolith, and Basalt Monolith.)
2. Token Route
Now, by ‘token’, I didn’t mean this deck has become a full fledged token deck. My main problem at that time was that there is only reliable way for me to finish someone off, namely, time magic. I usually cast a time magic (either Time Warp or Temporal Manipulation then blink either Mnemonic Wall or Archaeomancer. There was no real problem since they are all great on their own (THINK: activating Karn Liberated four times in a row with some face bashing.) However, my board presence was often pitiful and it’s possible that someone will do something with my time magic.
I came up with token solution by noticing that the majority of my creatures are small. It’s possible for me to include some big creatures as finisher, but won’t it be wiser to make my small creature part of finishers as well? I was looking at good token producers such as Myr Battlesphere and Captain of the Watch when someone mentioned the potential of Master of The Wave. I literally laughed and mentally brushed this suggestion as nonsensical. There is no way such small creature could possibly do real damage, I told myself.
I was terribly wrong.
Moreover, the token route helps with the stax aspect of the deck (THINK: Tangle Wire, Opposition, and Parallax Tide.)
At the moment, the token route is my way to go. It’s more consistency and more power than the classical route. Obviously, we have to reduce the number of fascinating toys that went so well with Brago since they’re overpowered by these wonderful armies.
I’m currently working on the idea of including some form of anthem or more stax.
Basic Strategy
strengths and weaknesses
This is a powerful deck. Its main strength is the attrition war. Once Brago has something to blink, he can acquire us gradual advantage which is rather difficult to compete with. The only reasonable way to compete with the old king’s resource is to directly remove the majority of them, however, Brago is quick to bounce back. For an example, a Sun Titan can bring back two small permanents back to play with Brago’s help. Reveillark could make your opponents question your honesty since they firmly believe that they’ve just wiped your board. Planeswalkers are also difficult to get rid off via wiping. Last but not least, we have decent amount of counter spells and removals to answer dangerous threats.
Regrettably, nothing is perfect. A dedicated combo deck isn’t an achilles’ heel but one has to be careful around it which translate to slow board development. Furthermore, our board -- our strongest point -- is largely irrelevant to combo. Counting the fact that the non-blue attrition or aggro decks can develop their boards in the name of killing the combo player while we are socially forced to reserve at least some mana in order to counter a spell, dedicated combo is the worst match up. Nevertheless, we generally can deal with this due to the fact that Brago with Unquestioned Authority alone can develop our game. Keep blinking stuff and focus your attention to the combo and then pour your well-kept resources when the time is right. It’s also politically possible to attack the non-combo players when they develop their boards too much as well.
This deck’s real weakness is fighting against multiple combo deck though. We simply don’t have enough resource to fight against two dedicated combo deck at once. Obviously, the only strategy is to team up with other combo player, preferably one that can’t win soon, to take down the most dangerous player.
How to Pilot
For this deck, a good game has five stages: establishing, developing, recovering, overwhelming, closing. I’ll talk you through these stages first then we’ll discuss the situations when things go wrong. I’m writing this section on the assumption that you generally play four players pod. The game doesn’t vary that much with the number of player except for two factors which I’ll mention when I discuss developing and overwhelming.
Establishing is the first stage where the most important thing is to prepare one’s mana. Acquiring more resource is still not the top priority since we won’t be able to cast much spell at this stage anyway. This stage naturally ends when someone acquire stable 4-5 mana. This is because the majority of lower CMC in EDH are 3-4. The good way to end this stage is to attack with Brago for the first time with something to blink. It’s not the end of the world if you can’t do both. It’s usually a better idea to cast something other than Brago if that’s the case since Brago on his own isn’t impressive and quite vulnerable.
Developing is the second stage, and it’s a rather important one. This is generally end after the second bomb of the game has been dealt with. Mana is no longer a top priority in this stage. You should focus on two things: acquiring a better hand, and making good board presence.
As I previously mentioned, this deck is an attrition deck rather than an aggro one so we won’t be explosively fast, although, it’ll be foolish for most decks to compete in developing position with us. Acquiring a better hand and making good board presence aren’t always go hand in hand, but they do in our deck since most of what we do, we do from the board. It would be wise to attack combo players since they generally have weak board presence that are deceptively dangerous. If you draw into stax, this is the right time to use it. Tangle Wire, Parallax Tide and Opposition are excellent resource denials especially the last two which you can simply focus on the combo player. Reality Acid and Karn Liberated could function as stax as well. Although, beware that the count of bomb include yours as well. Furthermore, the count of bomb should be higher in a pod with more players. I’ve never played a game bigger than six players pod but I believe that it usually goes like this
Cardinal Number of Player - Ordinal Number of Bomb
3 - 2
4 - 2
5 - 3
6 - 4
Of course, this is merely a guideline. The principle is that the developing ends when everyone (or at least almost everyone) believe that they’ve already spent a good chunk of their resources, thus, it’s time to recover.
Recovering is the third stage of the plan. Since developing stage generally ends when the second bomb of the game has been dealt with, recovering begins immediately afterward. This stage depends on what you’ve lost. If the board was wiped, then your priority is recovering the board via cards like Sun Titan and Reveillark. If your graveyard has been removed as well, then Proteus Staff and Jalira, Master Polymorphist should do the trick. If you’ve lost a good hand, this is the time to get one back via draw engines such as Mulldrifter and Jace Beleren. Mass land destruction isn’t really popular in my area but if that’s the case, then you should modify this deck a little bit.
Recovering ends when someone drop a new bomb. You may not be ready yet but that’s irrelevant since your opponent won’t simply sit back until you’re ready. Of course you may be the one who’s dropped said bomb. Actually, it’s preferable that you’re the one who do it since that will make the next stage much more easier for you.
Overwhelming, the most important stage of our plan. This stage is when all relevant players fight for supremacy. There are too many possibilities for me to anticipate every one for you. The principle, however, is quite plain. You should have:
Damage dealer (Master of Wave, Myr Battlesphere etc.)
Counter magic
Spot removal (Sower of Temptation, Path to Exile etc.)
Gradual advantage (planeswalker, draw engine etc.)
Overwhelming ends when someone dominates the pod and everyone simply throw a Hail Mary Pass.
Finishing. There are two possible ways for us to be the one who ends the game: infinite turn, and army. Time magic could be used sparingly throughout the game but it truly shines when you can repeatedly cast it with Mnemonic Wall’s or Archaeomancer’s help. What is generally considered more fun however is when you have twenty tokens with Elesh Norn, Grand Cenobite in play. I couldn’t say much at this point aside from don’t get cocky. The game doesn’t end until it truly ends so don’t take an unnecessary risk to be cool etc.
What I'm calling the three flash rocks are Basalt Monolith, Grim Monolith and Mana Vault. They are usually considered classic mana rocks in EDH. They provide 3 mana advantage which means casting Consecrated Sphinx on turn 4 is a reliable strategy. Their common flaw however is that you have to use them smartly since they won't untap on their own.
Forget what I say when it comes to next level blink. You can reliably untap these rocks almost in the same way you untap Sol Ring every turn.
Chromatic Lantern is a helpful rock since we run a considerable number of colourless lands and the four aforementioned colourless rocks.
Lightning Greave and Swiftfoot Boots aren't the best equipments we can use but they serve their purposes. Brago'll draw hate to himself. Bashing face as quick and stealthy as possible is usually a good option.
Sword of Feast and Famine and Sword of Fire and Ice are crucial for our deck. The problem with Brago is the fact that he is so small yet he is at his best when he engages in combat (he is almost useless otherwise.) Hence; any card that gives him relevant evasion, relevant protection and nice buff is always welcome. It seems too greedy to ask for even one more extraordinary effect let alone two...oh, wait!
Tangle Wire is cruel. Your opponent has to try to find the four scapegoats every turn while you can just tap some enchantment and blink them back like nothing happens (except drawing two cards, perhaps?)
Tormod's Crypt is crucial. It is currently my only plan against graveyard deck. I think I should add at least one more. Any suggestion?
For Karn Liberated, you will most likely choose a remove permanent ability as the first trigger. However, your opponent will surely aim toward a twice trigger Karn more than they should (say, the value of twice Karn is 200 unit, your opponents tend to freak out and evaluate it as 300 units) which will be a sound strategy for you if you have bigger threat on board which is unlikely. Thus; you will most likely lose Karn in the next turn unless you have a proper protection for him such as a big fat army to defer the attack which normally mean you are already winning. In short, Karn will be either a remove two permanents (which is rather not bad) or remove one permanent, one card in hand and may be one more card in hand unless you've already practically won the game.
Tamiyo, the Moon Sage is good planeswalker but she does not benefit THAT much from Brago. Consider her first ability, it automatically protects her to certain degree and renders her loyalty respectable so she should not have a problem to survive next turn. Reactivating it may be good if your opponent has big fat threat on board but just tapping stone or land is not that great. As for the second ability, it is a good surprise for the first time and it is arguably the best way to play her even in this deck, namely, drop her after someone tap out his front row, be that as it may, it is impractically for us to attack then activate her second ability for it should benefit us more to blink our own creatures.
Tezzeret the Seeker benefits greatly from Brago and vice versa. Tutor for sword, swing, more sword is probably the best turn 5 play (assuming you have at least one stone in your field to equip the first sword.) His first ability also allows us to have ridiculous mana advantage.
Venser, the Sojourner. The time conflict between Brago's and Venser's blink mechanics are workable (for instance, second ability, swing, blink acid, first ability) is back breaking to an opponent in early phase for sure. Multiply blink your biggest threats may seem appealing but let consider a real situation. You want to blink something pre-combat which means it cannot be used for the rest of your turn so it should not be a creature that can attack with Brago nor planeswalker who can be blinked twice later. Come to think of it, isn't it strictly better to blink twice rather than blink pre-combat? Hence; unless flying and swords are enough for you to get through, Venser's first activation will most likely be the second ability.
Act of Authority is one of the better artifact/ enchantment removal in EDH since you do not only get to exile a permanent (instead of just destroying it) but you also get to reuse it occasionally, for an example, Sun Titan. Cast it, use an upkeep trigger then use Venser to blink it is arguably a d*** move. It is much more d***er when your own commander can blink it as well.
Mystic Remora is usually a meta call card. If you know that your opponents will vomit mana rock on the first few turn then this is one of the best card to run but if your opponents tend to run a creature ramp or something of that nature then it may not be worth it.
Forget whatever I said on the above paragraph when it comes to next level blink! The ability to reliably blink this makes it a solid move even in the latter phase. The fact that Sun Titan can bring it back is also relevant. It also not hurt that we have some good mana rock to provide mana for its cumulative upkeep.
Opposition. As a damage enabler, it is not as good as I expect it to be. We have a solid amount of evasion while next to no token generator. Nevertheless, Opposition is back breaker when it comes to resource denial. In a small game, this and other two enchantments I'm about to mention are the trinity of resource denial.
Parallax Tide, good old tide, this is one of the best card in our deck. Of course, it allows us to untap our lands with Brago, nonetheless, I tend to use it as resource denial to punish a player whom seems to be the top dog at the moment. Combo this with Opposition will practically Time Walk some opponent in the mid phase. The best part is when you exile, say, three shock lands.
Reality Acide is the last of my trinity. It is so fun to use what seems to be slow useless removal to kill off tough target But the best part of acid is that it is so versatile sometime it is even sensible to simply attach it to some land especially if that land is the only thing which hold your opponent's mana together. Its removal ability is so good you can even negotiate with one opponent to let you connect so you can remove, say, a Blightsteel Colossus.
Steel of the Godhead is our third untutorable sword. This may sound bad but it is not since you can attach it to Azorious Guildmage then blink it to Brago later with no cost whatsoever.
Treachery is probably the most boring enchantment in our deck. It does not do anything really special but there are trick for mana advantage such as, oh I don't know, blink it with Brago to untap five lands for free.
Creature Angel of Finality is a really good creature on her own. She can block a decent size creature or go with the flow of all in attack. Her trigger can break a bad dregde deck. With Brago, she can effectively shut down all but the most resillent dregde deck out there.
Archaeomancer's main purpose is to return time magic in order to create an infinite loop. She can return other cards of course. With Brago, this girl can turn Forbid into a cruel soft lock. [LOOK: Mnemonic Wall.]
Aven Mindcensor is one of the generic good stuff. He can hose combo deck effectively. Body Double is one of the resurrect
package. It's unique not only because it can resurrect creature from your opponent's graveyard but also because it leaves said creature in the graveyard. The second aspect can be either good or bad in most case but it's usually a bad thing in Brago since blinking it can't bring more force into your side. Nevertheless, it's incredible still.
Clever Impersonator is the best clone out here, full stop. It can copy every nonland permanent. The new legendary rule may hinder it from its true potential as planeswalker killer...it can copy your opponent's Karn Liberated though.
Elesh Norn, Grand Cenobite is the most powerful creature in my deck. She can turn a powerful token generator into a win condition. She can wipe some board with ease. She can turn lesser combatants into trained special force. I can't praise her enough.
Gilded Drake is a really good spot removal. It can't be blinked by Brago though, in fact, it can hinder Brago from time to time. Nonetheless, it's value can't be dismissed by any of that.
Glen Elendra Archmage. Ah! Glen! My most hated creature. I love her but she can really draw hates. With Brago, she can lock out certain decks which is always nice...
Jalira, Master Polymorphist is a fun card to play with. She has no synnergy with Brago but most creatures in this deck are so they can work together to certain degree. The best thing about her is that she sacrifices creature rather than tugs it so one can resurrect it later. It should be noted that she's incredible with Teferi, Temporal Archmage.
Karmic Guide is one of the best resurrect effect out there. She works really well with Brago. She can surprise many player with her protection from black. All in all, amazing.
Master of Wave. The first time I heard a good thing about Master of Wave in EDH, I thought that it's horse s-word. Surely, such card is incredible in modern but so-so in EDH...I was wrong, so very wrong. Yes, this card can provide a decent board, but it's madness when one combines him with Brago. The two of them can finish the game, honest.
Mulldrifter is my favourite common creature of all time. My favourite Standard deck of all time is WU Lark so that makes sense, however, this card is truly good on its own. It gains you card advantage while providing a decent body. It's simply ridiculour with Brago who can turn it into an incredible draw engine.
Myr Battlesphere is another finisher. It can finish game on its own but it's truly incredible with Brago. Its token can be used for stax or polymorph effect as well.
Nevermaker, my pride and joy. In a right situation, it can lock a game with Brago. If all else fail, it's a really good chump block. Don't be hesitated to simply evoke it since you can resurrect it with Lark.
Peregrine Drake, a relatively new inclusion. It has a decent body, and an alright effect. Of course, I'm talking about when you don't attack with Brago. With Brago? This card is nut.
Reveillark is probably the best resurrect effect this deck has to offer. It can resurrect the majority of this deck and it can resurrect two of them at once. It has a decent power with brilliantly low toughness. My favourite thing with Lark is the fact that it helps you against board wipe. I've never lost a game when I can stick Lark with Brago for two turns. It's also a good option for polymorph.
Solemn Simulacrum is a generic good stuff. It's quite good with Brago but it's not that great. Think of it as bran cereal, good for your health but not exciting.
Sun Titan is one of those card that you want to resolve after someone wipe your board clean. Surprisingly, most of our creature has high CMC but Sun titan can resurrect most of our toys (i.e. artifacts and enchantment.)
Cathars' Crusade might be worth a look for your deck. It could provide a massive pump for your creatures if well timed. Runed Halo would allow you to stop a fatty in its tracks since you could reset the thing whenever you hit. Oh yeah, Steel of the Godhead. Almost forgot to mention both Tamiyo, the Moon Sage and Frost Titan could be favourable as they allow you to set up a situation where you can lock down much of their aerial defense.
I can't wait to build this deck when Brago comes out. I am going to go heavy into a wizard theme with Merchant of Secrets, Venser, Shaper Savant, Voidwielder, and my personal fav Vedalken Dismisser along with their favorite, Azami, Lady of Scrolls. The wizards serve double duty with their ETB and then draw engines with Azami out. Not to mention you get double and even triple mileage out them with both Azami & Brago. The wizards ETB and you get their ability. You tap them to draw a card with Azami. They get blinked with Brago and more ETB fun ensues. You then get to tap them again with Azami since they ETB untapped. So that is actually like quadruple mileage!
Oh ya, don't forget Skybind if you plan on blinking enchantments!
Hey guys so I've actually moved on from commander on to 60 card decks so I don't have any commander decks.
Anyway I've started my own gameplay channel in which I play games (Magic also)
Cathars' Crusade might be worth a look for your deck. It could provide a massive pump for your creatures if well timed. Runed Halo would allow you to stop a fatty in its tracks since you could reset the thing whenever you hit. Oh yeah, Steel of the Godhead. Almost forgot to mention both Tamiyo, the Moon Sage and Frost Titan could be favourable as they allow you to set up a situation where you can lock down much of their aerial defense.
This is a brilliant suggestion. I don't think Cathar will be a good choice though since it will depend on situation too much and damage boots should not be our problem since I have time magics.
I can't wait to build this deck when Brago comes out. I am going to go heavy into a wizard theme with Merchant of Secrets, Venser, Shaper Savant, Voidwielder, and my personal fav Vedalken Dismisser along with their favorite, Azami, Lady of Scrolls. The wizards serve double duty with their ETB and then draw engines with Azami out. Not to mention you get double and even triple mileage out them with both Azami & Brago. The wizards ETB and you get their ability. You tap them to draw a card with Azami. They get blinked with Brago and more ETB fun ensues. You then get to tap them again with Azami since they ETB untapped. So that is actually like quadruple mileage!
Oh ya, don't forget Skybind if you plan on blinking enchantments!
I didn't even know that Voildwielder and Dismisser exist! I have problems with wizard theme though: firstly, it relies a lot on Azami which is not our general. Secondly, Brago himself is not wizard which trouble me a little bit on flavour side of thing. (But hey! We can always say that these wizards serve the ghost king.)
By the by, if Skybind reenter battlefield with other enchantment, will I have multiple trigger? I will, won't I?
Opposition will be Brago's best friend. Tap down blockers, swing with your general and get everything back in untapped (potentially abusing Trinket Mage, Mulldrifter, Archaeomancer, Augury Owl etc.).
I don't think you have enough ways to make Brago connect for combat dmg. As an opponent its a no brainier to block Brago *at all costs* if your going to get all sorts of great ETB triggers. Don't give your opponent the choice.
Also, i've always wanted to play Decree of Silence, it seems like Brago may be a home for it, since you could potentially remove the depletion counts from it each turn. Good times.
It's interesting that Venser, the Sojourner's -2 ability solves any lingering blocker problems. And Brago can blink Venser to reset his counters AND give you one additional use of his +2 ability. BLINK BROS YO
Sorry, I just thought of a card for this deck. I'm thinking depending on how easy it becomes for you to connect Brago you might want to try Reality Acid in the deck. It could ideally be used to great effect to get rid of opponents stuff. Granted, it might be a bit of a win-more card.
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My List of Current Decks: -Modern- WMartyrProcB BBurnR -Commander-
I don't think you have enough ways to make Brago connect for combat dmg. As an opponent its a no brainier to block Brago *at all costs* if your going to get all sorts of great ETB triggers. Don't give your opponent the choice.
Also, i've always wanted to play Decree of Silence, it seems like Brago may be a home for it, since you could potentially remove the depletion counts from it each turn. Good times.
Um...They are interesting but I don't know what to cut. Do you have suggestion?
Sorry, I just thought of a card for this deck. I'm thinking depending on how easy it becomes for you to connect Brago you might want to try Reality Acid in the deck. It could ideally be used to great effect to get rid of opponents stuff. Granted, it might be a bit of a win-more card.
It's interesting that Venser, the Sojourner's -2 ability solves any lingering blocker problems. And Brago can blink Venser to reset his counters AND give you one additional use of his +2 ability. BLINK BROS YO
Precisely.
Please help me identify at least six weakest cards which we should remove from the list.
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I'm sorry this post is so long, I didn't have time to make it shorter.
Finally, I have a problem: what should I take out to make room for these wonderful cards you all mention? Do you have suggestions?
You are living my life now. Every time I see ideas for this deck, I cringe. Soooooo many options. Happy to see somebody else mention Decree of Silence. I am ready to see some table flipping in my group because of it. I've used Reality Acid before, back in the day when it and Dream Stalker were in Standard together. This is the perfect deck for it. Once again, happy to see I'm not the only one thinking about that little gem.
Honestly, you can build this deck in so many ways. You could even go aggro if you wished with things like Cathar's Crusade. This is the card I've been waiting for since I started playing Commander...sorry...I'm getting a little verklempt...I'm just so happy
Please help me identify at least six weakest cards which we should remove from the list.
At the moment, it seems your decklist is still tightly clinging to so many Azorius staples that don't really push your Brago strategy. You can start with sacrificing a few cards that are just generally good with cards that help your theme.
Please help me identify at least six weakest cards which we should remove from the list.
At the moment, it seems your decklist is still tightly clinging to so many Azorius staples that don't really push your Brago strategy. You can start with sacrificing a few cards that are just generally good with cards that help your theme.
Cartographer is nice but I don't think I really need him. Hellkite is powerful but I should have enough board control with the addition. As for Clamp, I don't have consistent ways to abuse him. Rhystic Study is nice but I believe Remora will be better in this deck. Last but not least, Spine is interesting but it costs so much. Acid seems like a more fun option as well.
Finally, I have a problem: what should I take out to make room for these wonderful cards you all mention? Do you have suggestions?
You are living my life now. Every time I see ideas for this deck, I cringe. Soooooo many options. Happy to see somebody else mention Decree of Silence. I am ready to see some table flipping in my group because of it. I've used Reality Acid before, back in the day when it and Dream Stalker were in Standard together. This is the perfect deck for it. Once again, happy to see I'm not the only one thinking about that little gem.
Honestly, you can build this deck in so many ways. You could even go aggro if you wished with things like Cathar's Crusade. This is the card I've been waiting for since I started playing Commander...sorry...I'm getting a little verklempt...I'm just so happy
I've already had both Lark and Guide but thank you. This commander is really interesting.
Anyway...I've just realised that I don't have graveyard hate! Tormod's Crypt is my usual go to guy but I think I should add one more option. I probably go with Angel of Finality.
Aura are interesting option which can be recur by Sun Titan but these are strong on their own. If you can find me one more cut, I would definitely try Steel of Godhead.
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I'm sorry this post is so long, I didn't have time to make it shorter.
Archaeomancer : too slow, if you can replace it with a snapcaster.
Lavinia of the Tenth : depends on your meta but this wont stop most EDH level threats
Skullclamp : Not enough clamp targets. I love this in Elves or in Karador. Since I have 1/1s or stuff to sac. But I dont see enough guys in this list that I'd want to 'die'
Body Double: I think his guy is better in re-animator decks since you know your best cards will be in the graveyard... that said if there are a lot or re animator decks in your meta then reconsider.
Kor Cartographer : too slow even with the ETB, consider weathered wayfarer or land tax
Archaeomancer : too slow, if you can replace it with a snapcaster.
Lavinia of the Tenth : depends on your meta but this wont stop most EDH level threats
Skullclamp : Not enough clamp targets. I love this in Elves or in Karador. Since I have 1/1s or stuff to sac. But I dont see enough guys in this list that I'd want to 'die'
Body Double: I think his guy is better in re-animator decks since you know your best cards will be in the graveyard... that said if there are a lot or re animator decks in your meta then reconsider.
Kor Cartographer : too slow even with the ETB, consider weathered wayfarer or land tax
Archaeomancer is powerful since she is part of my time magic combo which Snapcaster cannot replace.
Lavinia is an interesting cut. I normally use her to hamper mana rock et al but she is not THAT reliable.
Body Double is here to stay, I believe. It can copy not only my creature but also other's.
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I'm sorry this post is so long, I didn't have time to make it shorter.
Doesn't actually work like that. The way Brago's ability is worded, you have to choose targets to blink. If you copy the ability, one will resolve first and blink everything, and the second one will fizzle since they're all treated as new objects.
That said I guess you could use Strionic Resonator to copy an ETB ability, swing with Brago, then blink things and do it again.
It actually does work. Here we go:
1. Brago connects, ability goes on the stack. Doesn't matter what you target, but you should probably target the Sol Ring and the Resonator, and perhaps Brago himself.
2. Use the Resonator with to copy the ability. Target the Resonator, Sol Ring, and all the ETBs you want in the loop.
3. Resonator's ability resolves. Blinks the Resonator and Sol Ring and anything else.
4. Resolve ETB triggers.
5. Brago's initial trigger is still on the stack, and you have an untapped Resonator and Sol Ring. Copy Brago's ability again.
6. ???
7. Profit.
So yeah, it still works, just not the way you thought it did.
Edit: You don't really need a Sol Ring to use this loop. Any non-land permanent(s) that can collectively create two mana of any type can get this loop going. Even the lowly Cloud of Faeries can get this loop going. If you have a way to create a third mana from a non-land source, you effectively have infinite mana and ETBs. If this is the route you want to go, perhaps you should find room for Fabricate as I believe this is the best way to abuse the commander's ability. With your infinite mana and ETBs, you could also use Vedalken Orrery and Leyline of Anticipation since you can only use the mana during your combat step. With infinite ETBs, drawing your whole deck should be trivially easy. Even Sensei's Divining Top draws your whole deck once the loop gets going.
Doesn't actually work like that. The way Brago's ability is worded, you have to choose targets to blink. If you copy the ability, one will resolve first and blink everything, and the second one will fizzle since they're all treated as new objects.
That said I guess you could use Strionic Resonator to copy an ETB ability, swing with Brago, then blink things and do it again.
But you can just keep the original trigger unresolved and loop the copies, right? Or maybe target Brago himself with the first trigger, and not with the copies so the first trigger never counters itself as it still has one of its targets remaining.
EDIT: And i realized that i got 'nathd a billion years later oTL
Crap! Nevermaker used to be my favourite. I totally forgot about it.
Diluvian is an interesting choice. Originally, he is in the list but I cut him out because he may not be worth it in number of situation. Sakashima is certainly good choice as well but I think she is better in a deck which using more legendary ETB creatures.
I fail to see the benefit of transmute in this deck since there is no combo piece per se. Could you clarify why should I use it for me?
strionic resonator or sol ring are the combo pieces the transmute artifact was intended for. but it also gets Conjurer's Closet (one of my favourites )
it also has some synergy with spine of ish sah even if it only gets you mana vault, tangle wire or an equipment to let brago connect/protect him. it can also get duplicant.
i guess stasis would also be really nice card in here ( + frozen aether / kismet ), depending on how much you want to be hated. also i second that reality acid has to get in there.
adding a few more artifacts academy ruins becomes an option maybe add the mindslaver lock as well.
another thing i thought about is using cloudgoat ranger along with skullclamp. if you allready have the stoneforge package that would be a great card draw engine. a blinked cloudgoat ranger could also provide endless fodder for smokestack (another artifact to get with the transmute) and is synergetic with opposition.
STAX Brago sound brutal but I think Derevi will be better at this aspect.
Anyway, this is my new list. I have to confess that I mess up a little bit and forget to keep a change log while tinkering it so I'll keep the old list and compile a change log when I have time.
1. Grim Monolith and Mana Vault are simply ridiculous with Brago. They are strong in their own rights but they become oppressively powerful when you don't need to pay for their untap cost.
2. Mystic Remora may be a situational card but a situational card which net you advantage (tempo or card advantage itself) without anything significant in return is great.
3. Parallax Tide is one of my favourite card right now. You can soft lock certain opponent in an early game with Turn 3 Boot, Turn 4 Wave and Turn 5 Brago. This is especially good against those shock lands.
4. Reality Acid is hand down the best combo in this deck. It may not be as powerful as the game ending time magic combo but the refreshing feeling you get and the much more manageable mana cost make this combo my favourite right now.
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I'm sorry this post is so long, I didn't have time to make it shorter.
Well Pinguis, it's good to know that my recommendation for Reality Acid wasn't in vain. Anyways, I'm curious on how this play comparatively to other Blink based decks. I realise that your deck is still relatively new, but I was hoping that you could at least give a little bit of insight rather than me just actively speculating. In addition, I'm kinda have a morbid curiosity in that is actively being able to trigger a Planeswalker's abilities twice a round as back-breaking as it sounds?
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Well Pinguis, it's good to know that my recommendation for Reality Acid wasn't in vain. Anyways, I'm curious on how this play comparatively to other Blink based decks. I realise that your deck is still relatively new, but I was hoping that you could at least give a little bit of insight rather than me just actively speculating. In addition, I'm kinda have a morbid curiosity in that is actively being able to trigger a Planeswalker's abilities twice a round as back-breaking as it sounds?
I'm so sorry that I don't have time to test it as much as I would be able to give a sound evaluation, nevertheless, if it just a particular point with less than ten games experience then I can tell you that being able to activate Planeswalker twice in a row is not as good as it sounds.
For Karn Liberated, you will most likely choose a remove permanent ability as the first trigger. However, your opponent will surely aim toward a twice trigger Karn more than they should (say, the value of twice Karn is 200 unit, your opponents tend to freak out and evaluate it as 300 units) which will be a sound strategy for you if you have bigger threat on board which is unlikely. Thus; you will most likely lose Karn in the next turn unless you have a proper protection for him such as a big fat army to defer the attack which normally mean you are already winning. In short, Karn will be either a remove two permanents (which is rather not bad) or remove one permanent, one card in hand and may be one more card in hand unless you've already practically won the game.
Tamiyo, the Moon Sage is good planeswalker but she does not benefit THAT much from Brago. Consider her first ability, it automatically protects her to certain degree and renders her loyalty respectable so she should not have a problem to survive next turn. Reactivating it may be good if your opponent has big fat threat on board but just tapping stone or land is not that great. As for the second ability, it is a good surprise for the first time and it is arguably the best way to play her even in this deck, namely, drop her after someone tap out his front row, be that as it may, it is impractically for us to attack then activate her second ability for it should benefit us more to blink our own creatures.
Tezzeret the Seeker benefits greatly from Brago and vice versa. Tutor for sword, swing, more sword is probably the best turn 5 play (assuming you have at least one stone in your field to equip the first sword.) His first ability also allows us to have ridiculous mana advantage.
Venser, the Sojourner. The time paradox between Brago's and Venser's blink mechanics are workable (for instance, second ability, swing, blink acid, first ability) is back breaking to an opponent in early phase for sure. Multiply blink your biggest threats may seem appealing but let consider a real situation. You want to blink something pre-combat which means it cannot be used for the rest of your turn so it should not be a creature that can attack with Brago nor planeswalker who can be blinked twice later. Come to think of it, isn't it strictly better to blink twice rather than blink pre-combat? Hence; unless flying and swords is not enough for you to get through, Venser's first activation will most likely be the second ability.
If this kind of review is satisfactory, I'll complete an enchantment section tomorrow.
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I'm sorry this post is so long, I didn't have time to make it shorter.
Pinguis thank you for taking the time to answer my question. That review of the planeswalker cards in your deck has been rather informative, and I'm still quite intrigued to see some of the interactions between the other parts of the deck.
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All in all to be truly competitive you'll need to lower your curve by A LOT. why are there so many random high cmc cards here? and even more random cards like Faith's Fetters..?
You said you didn't know what to remove, I guess I can help you with that.
Faith's Fetters, too costly for what it does, even with brago. Way better options out there. Parallax Wave, I get that tide untaps your lands, but you don't even "combo" with this one to remove creatures permanently. If anything you're giving them another ETB. Sphinx of Uthuun, looks great in theory and definitely when blinked. But really, if your opponents are any good they won't let you get to a stage where you consistently blink him. It's "win-more" in a nutshell.
Thada Adell, I like the card, she's great, what is she doing for your strategy though? instead of fetching their Gilded Lotus, you might as well play one to blink and reset for more mana. Bribery, it's the staple every blue player wants to run, but really, this ain't doing anything for your strategy unless you want to blink them back to their control for some obscure reason.
All in all I'd cut some more of the fat for some more digging (like Ponder, Brainstorm) to get the actual pieces you want. Not flooding it with pieces that also work.
PS: the CIPT lands are also terrible, if you're facing stax you're doomed.
1 Adarkar Wastes
1 Azorius Guildgate
1 Blasted Landscape
1 Boreal Shelf
1 Celestial Colonnade
1 City of Brass
1 Coastal Tower
1 Command Tower
1 Dust Bowl
1 Ghost Quarter
1 Glacial Fortress
1 Hall of the Bandit Lord
1 Hallowed Fountain
1 High Market
4 Island
1 Kor Haven
1 Mana Confluence
1 Mystic Gate
1 Nimbus Maze
4 Plains
1 Reflecting Pool
1 Reliquary Tower
1 Rogue's Passage
1 Seachrome Coast
1 Sejiri Refuge
1 Skycloud Expanse
1 Tectonic Edge
1 Temple of Enlightenment
1 Temple of the False God
1 Terrain Generator
1 Wanderwine Hub
1 Archaeomancer
1 Aven Mindcensor
1 Body Double
1 Captain of the Watch
1 Clever Impersonator
1 Elesh Norn, Grand Cenobite
1 Gilded Drake
1 Glen Elendra Archmage
1 Grand Abolisher
1 Jalira, Master Polymorphist
1 Karmic Guide
1 Master of Waves
1 Mnemonic Wall
1 Mulldrifter
1 Myr Battlesphere
1 Nevermaker
1 Reveillark
1 Solemn Simulacrum
1 Sun Titan
Artifact (11)
1 Basalt Monolith
1 Chromatic Lantern
1 Grim Monolith
1 Lightning Greaves
1 Mana Vault
1 Scroll Rack
1 Sensei's Divining Top
1 Sol Ring
1 Swiftfoot Boots
1 Tangle Wire
1 Tormod's Crypt
Sorcery (4)
1 Austere Command
1 Planar Cleansing
1 Temporal Manipulation
1 Time Warp
1 Arcane Denial
1 Cyclonic Rift
1 Fact or Fiction
1 Forbid
1 Hinder
1 Pact of Negation
1 Path to Exile
1 Return to Dust
1 Spell Crumple
1 Sphinx's Revelation
1 Swords to Plowshares
Enchantment (10)
1 Act of Authority
1 Mystic Remora
1 Opposition
1 Parallax Tide
1 Pentarch Ward
1 Reality Acid
1 Spreading Seas
1 Steel of the Godhead
1 Traveler's Cloak
1 Unquestioned Authority
Planeswalker (7)
1 Ajani, Caller of the Pride
1 Ajani Steadfast
1 Elspeth, Knight-Errant
1 Jace Beleren
1 Karn Liberated
1 Teferi, Temporal Archmage
1 Tezzeret the Seeker
What I'm calling the three flash rocks are Basalt Monolith, Grim Monolith and Mana Vault. They are usually considered classic mana rocks in EDH. They provide 3 mana advantage which means casting Consecrated Sphinx on turn 4 is a reliable strategy. Their common flaw however is that you have to use them smartly since they won't untap on their own.
Forget what I say when it comes to next level blink. You can reliably untap these rocks almost in the same way you untap Sol Ring every turn.
Chromatic Lantern is a helpful rock since we run a considerable number of colourless lands and the four aforementioned colourless rocks.
Lightning Greave and Swiftfoot Boots aren't the best equipments we can use but they serve their purposes. Brago'll draw hate to himself. Bashing face as quick and stealthy as possible is usually a good option.
Sword of Feast and Famine and Sword of Fire and Ice are crucial for our deck. The problem with Brago is the fact that he is so small yet he is at his best when he engages in combat (he is almost useless otherwise.) Hence; any card that gives him relevant evasion, relevant protection and nice buff is always welcome. It seems too greedy to ask for even one more extraordinary effect let alone two...oh, wait!
Tangle Wire is cruel. Your opponent has to try to find the four scapegoats every turn while you can just tap some enchantment and blink them back like nothing happens (except drawing two cards, perhaps?)
Tormod's Crypt is crucial. It is currently my only plan against graveyard deck. I think I should add at least one more. Any suggestion?
Tamiyo, the Moon Sage is good planeswalker but she does not benefit THAT much from Brago. Consider her first ability, it automatically protects her to certain degree and renders her loyalty respectable so she should not have a problem to survive next turn. Reactivating it may be good if your opponent has big fat threat on board but just tapping stone or land is not that great. As for the second ability, it is a good surprise for the first time and it is arguably the best way to play her even in this deck, namely, drop her after someone tap out his front row, be that as it may, it is impractically for us to attack then activate her second ability for it should benefit us more to blink our own creatures.
Tezzeret the Seeker benefits greatly from Brago and vice versa. Tutor for sword, swing, more sword is probably the best turn 5 play (assuming you have at least one stone in your field to equip the first sword.) His first ability also allows us to have ridiculous mana advantage.
Venser, the Sojourner. The time conflict between Brago's and Venser's blink mechanics are workable (for instance, second ability, swing, blink acid, first ability) is back breaking to an opponent in early phase for sure. Multiply blink your biggest threats may seem appealing but let consider a real situation. You want to blink something pre-combat which means it cannot be used for the rest of your turn so it should not be a creature that can attack with Brago nor planeswalker who can be blinked twice later. Come to think of it, isn't it strictly better to blink twice rather than blink pre-combat? Hence; unless flying and swords are enough for you to get through, Venser's first activation will most likely be the second ability.
Mystic Remora is usually a meta call card. If you know that your opponents will vomit mana rock on the first few turn then this is one of the best card to run but if your opponents tend to run a creature ramp or something of that nature then it may not be worth it.
Forget whatever I said on the above paragraph when it comes to next level blink! The ability to reliably blink this makes it a solid move even in the latter phase. The fact that Sun Titan can bring it back is also relevant. It also not hurt that we have some good mana rock to provide mana for its cumulative upkeep.
Opposition. As a damage enabler, it is not as good as I expect it to be. We have a solid amount of evasion while next to no token generator. Nevertheless, Opposition is back breaker when it comes to resource denial. In a small game, this and other two enchantments I'm about to mention are the trinity of resource denial.
Parallax Tide, good old tide, this is one of the best card in our deck. Of course, it allows us to untap our lands with Brago, nonetheless, I tend to use it as resource denial to punish a player whom seems to be the top dog at the moment. Combo this with Opposition will practically Time Walk some opponent in the mid phase. The best part is when you exile, say, three shock lands.
Reality Acide is the last of my trinity. It is so fun to use what seems to be slow useless removal to kill off tough target But the best part of acid is that it is so versatile sometime it is even sensible to simply attach it to some land especially if that land is the only thing which hold your opponent's mana together. Its removal ability is so good you can even negotiate with one opponent to let you connect so you can remove, say, a Blightsteel Colossus.
Steel of the Godhead is our third untutorable sword. This may sound bad but it is not since you can attach it to Azorious Guildmage then blink it to Brago later with no cost whatsoever.
Treachery is probably the most boring enchantment in our deck. It does not do anything really special but there are trick for mana advantage such as, oh I don't know, blink it with Brago to untap five lands for free.
Angel of Finality is a really good creature on her own. She can block a decent size creature or go with the flow of all in attack. Her trigger can break a bad dregde deck. With Brago, she can effectively shut down all but the most resillent dregde deck out there.
Archaeomancer's main purpose is to return time magic in order to create an infinite loop. She can return other cards of course. With Brago, this girl can turn Forbid into a cruel soft lock. [LOOK: Mnemonic Wall.]
Aven Mindcensor is one of the generic good stuff. He can hose combo deck effectively. Body Double is one of the resurrect
package. It's unique not only because it can resurrect creature from your opponent's graveyard but also because it leaves said creature in the graveyard. The second aspect can be either good or bad in most case but it's usually a bad thing in Brago since blinking it can't bring more force into your side. Nevertheless, it's incredible still.
Clever Impersonator is the best clone out here, full stop. It can copy every nonland permanent. The new legendary rule may hinder it from its true potential as planeswalker killer...it can copy your opponent's Karn Liberated though.
Elesh Norn, Grand Cenobite is the most powerful creature in my deck. She can turn a powerful token generator into a win condition. She can wipe some board with ease. She can turn lesser combatants into trained special force. I can't praise her enough.
Gilded Drake is a really good spot removal. It can't be blinked by Brago though, in fact, it can hinder Brago from time to time. Nonetheless, it's value can't be dismissed by any of that.
Glen Elendra Archmage. Ah! Glen! My most hated creature. I love her but she can really draw hates. With Brago, she can lock out certain decks which is always nice...
Jalira, Master Polymorphist is a fun card to play with. She has no synnergy with Brago but most creatures in this deck are so they can work together to certain degree. The best thing about her is that she sacrifices creature rather than tugs it so one can resurrect it later. It should be noted that she's incredible with Teferi, Temporal Archmage.
Karmic Guide is one of the best resurrect effect out there. She works really well with Brago. She can surprise many player with her protection from black. All in all, amazing.
Master of Wave. The first time I heard a good thing about Master of Wave in EDH, I thought that it's horse s-word. Surely, such card is incredible in modern but so-so in EDH...I was wrong, so very wrong. Yes, this card can provide a decent board, but it's madness when one combines him with Brago. The two of them can finish the game, honest.
Mnemonic Wall [LOOK: Archaeomancer.]
Mulldrifter is my favourite common creature of all time. My favourite Standard deck of all time is WU Lark so that makes sense, however, this card is truly good on its own. It gains you card advantage while providing a decent body. It's simply ridiculour with Brago who can turn it into an incredible draw engine.
Myr Battlesphere is another finisher. It can finish game on its own but it's truly incredible with Brago. Its token can be used for stax or polymorph effect as well.
Nevermaker, my pride and joy. In a right situation, it can lock a game with Brago. If all else fail, it's a really good chump block. Don't be hesitated to simply evoke it since you can resurrect it with Lark.
Peregrine Drake, a relatively new inclusion. It has a decent body, and an alright effect. Of course, I'm talking about when you don't attack with Brago. With Brago? This card is nut.
Reveillark is probably the best resurrect effect this deck has to offer. It can resurrect the majority of this deck and it can resurrect two of them at once. It has a decent power with brilliantly low toughness. My favourite thing with Lark is the fact that it helps you against board wipe. I've never lost a game when I can stick Lark with Brago for two turns. It's also a good option for polymorph.
Solemn Simulacrum is a generic good stuff. It's quite good with Brago but it's not that great. Think of it as bran cereal, good for your health but not exciting.
Sun Titan is one of those card that you want to resolve after someone wipe your board clean. Surprisingly, most of our creature has high CMC but Sun titan can resurrect most of our toys (i.e. artifacts and enchantment.)
12/06/2014
- Adarkar Waste
- Sea Gate Oracle
+ Ajani, Caller of The Pride
+ Rogue's Passage
2/07/2014
- Brainstorm
- Thassa, God of the Sea
- Cloudstone Curio
- Treachery
+ Traveler's Cloak
+ Pentarch Ward
+ Skybind
+ Ghostly Flicker
28/11/2014
- Consecrated Sphinx
- Knight-Captain of Eos
- Mentor of the Meek
- Phyrexian Metamorph
- Tamiyo, the Moon Sage
- Venser, the Sojourner
+ Ajani Steadfast
+ Elspeth, Knight-Errant
+ Jace Beleren
+ Teferi, Temporal Archmage
+ Scroll Rack
+ Sensei's Divining Top
5/12/2014
- Ajani Steadfast
+ Peregrine Drake
Right now, I'm looking for other fun cards to play with Brago. Stay tune.
This deck has been featured in Gathering Magic by Carlos Gutierrez
-Modern-
WMartyrProcB
BBurnR
-Commander-
Oh ya, don't forget Skybind if you plan on blinking enchantments!
Infinite bounce with brago and Sol ring
Venser or Spine for lawls.
Anyway I've started my own gameplay channel in which I play games (Magic also)
Twitch:
https://www.twitch.tv/dies_to_doom_blade
Youtube:
https://www.youtube.com/user/UpsidedownHandshake
Finally, I have a problem: what should I take out to make room for these wonderful cards you all mention? Do you have suggestions?
This deck has been featured in Gathering Magic by Carlos Gutierrez
Things id consider.
Steel of the Godhead
Unquestioned Authority
Parallax Wave, to remove blockers, then bounce it reset the fade counters then do it again next turn.
Also, i've always wanted to play Decree of Silence, it seems like Brago may be a home for it, since you could potentially remove the depletion counts from it each turn. Good times.
Augustin, Rasputin, Bruna, Brago, Ojutai
-Modern-
WMartyrProcB
BBurnR
-Commander-
Please help me identify at least six weakest cards which we should remove from the list.
This deck has been featured in Gathering Magic by Carlos Gutierrez
You are living my life now. Every time I see ideas for this deck, I cringe. Soooooo many options. Happy to see somebody else mention Decree of Silence. I am ready to see some table flipping in my group because of it. I've used Reality Acid before, back in the day when it and Dream Stalker were in Standard together. This is the perfect deck for it. Once again, happy to see I'm not the only one thinking about that little gem.
Don't forget about things like Reveillark and Karmic Guide either.
Honestly, you can build this deck in so many ways. You could even go aggro if you wished with things like Cathar's Crusade. This is the card I've been waiting for since I started playing Commander...sorry...I'm getting a little verklempt...I'm just so happy
PucaTrade Invite. Sign up and enjoy the first 500 points ($5) free!
At the moment, it seems your decklist is still tightly clinging to so many Azorius staples that don't really push your Brago strategy. You can start with sacrificing a few cards that are just generally good with cards that help your theme.
Augustin, Rasputin, Bruna, Brago, Ojutai
Anyway...I've just realised that I don't have graveyard hate! Tormod's Crypt is my usual go to guy but I think I should add one more option. I probably go with Angel of Finality.
As for my addition, I think
are the strongest.
Aura are interesting option which can be recur by Sun Titan but these are strong on their own. If you can find me one more cut, I would definitely try Steel of Godhead.
This deck has been featured in Gathering Magic by Carlos Gutierrez
Archaeomancer : too slow, if you can replace it with a snapcaster.
Lavinia of the Tenth : depends on your meta but this wont stop most EDH level threats
Skullclamp : Not enough clamp targets. I love this in Elves or in Karador. Since I have 1/1s or stuff to sac. But I dont see enough guys in this list that I'd want to 'die'
Steel Hellkite: Great card, but off theme, no ETB.
Body Double: I think his guy is better in re-animator decks since you know your best cards will be in the graveyard... that said if there are a lot or re animator decks in your meta then reconsider.
Kor Cartographer : too slow even with the ETB, consider weathered wayfarer or land tax
Archaeomancer is powerful since she is part of my time magic combo which Snapcaster cannot replace.
Lavinia is an interesting cut. I normally use her to hamper mana rock et al but she is not THAT reliable.
Body Double is here to stay, I believe. It can copy not only my creature but also other's.
This deck has been featured in Gathering Magic by Carlos Gutierrez
Doesn't actually work like that. The way Brago's ability is worded, you have to choose targets to blink. If you copy the ability, one will resolve first and blink everything, and the second one will fizzle since they're all treated as new objects.
That said I guess you could use Strionic Resonator to copy an ETB ability, swing with Brago, then blink things and do it again.
1. Brago connects, ability goes on the stack. Doesn't matter what you target, but you should probably target the Sol Ring and the Resonator, and perhaps Brago himself.
2. Use the Resonator with to copy the ability. Target the Resonator, Sol Ring, and all the ETBs you want in the loop.
3. Resonator's ability resolves. Blinks the Resonator and Sol Ring and anything else.
4. Resolve ETB triggers.
5. Brago's initial trigger is still on the stack, and you have an untapped Resonator and Sol Ring. Copy Brago's ability again.
6. ???
7. Profit.
So yeah, it still works, just not the way you thought it did.
Edit: You don't really need a Sol Ring to use this loop. Any non-land permanent(s) that can collectively create two mana of any type can get this loop going. Even the lowly Cloud of Faeries can get this loop going. If you have a way to create a third mana from a non-land source, you effectively have infinite mana and ETBs. If this is the route you want to go, perhaps you should find room for Fabricate as I believe this is the best way to abuse the commander's ability. With your infinite mana and ETBs, you could also use Vedalken Orrery and Leyline of Anticipation since you can only use the mana during your combat step. With infinite ETBs, drawing your whole deck should be trivially easy. Even Sensei's Divining Top draws your whole deck once the loop gets going.
But you can just keep the original trigger unresolved and loop the copies, right? Or maybe target Brago himself with the first trigger, and not with the copies so the first trigger never counters itself as it still has one of its targets remaining.
EDIT: And i realized that i got 'nathd a billion years later oTL
Augustin, Rasputin, Bruna, Brago, Ojutai
Crap! Nevermaker used to be my favourite. I totally forgot about it.
Diluvian is an interesting choice. Originally, he is in the list but I cut him out because he may not be worth it in number of situation. Sakashima is certainly good choice as well but I think she is better in a deck which using more legendary ETB creatures.
I fail to see the benefit of transmute in this deck since there is no combo piece per se. Could you clarify why should I use it for me?
By the by, love your alter art.
This deck has been featured in Gathering Magic by Carlos Gutierrez
Edit: This may be a rules question. If you blink Treachery, can you attach it to a hexproof/shroud creature?
STAX Brago sound brutal but I think Derevi will be better at this aspect.
Anyway, this is my new list. I have to confess that I mess up a little bit and forget to keep a change log while tinkering it so I'll keep the old list and compile a change log when I have time.
1 Adarkar Wastes
1 Azorius Guildgate
1 Boreal Shelf
1 Celestial Colonnade
1 Coastal Tower
1 Command Tower
1 Dust Bowl
1 Ghost Quarter
1 Glacial Fortress
1 Hall of the Bandit Lord
1 High Market
8 Island
1 Mystic Gate
1 Nimbus Maze
8 Plains
1 Reflecting Pool
1 Reliquary Tower
1 Seachrome Coast
1 Sejiri Refuge
1 Skycloud Expanse
1 Tectonic Edge
1 Temple of Enlightenment
1 Temple of the False God
1 Wanderwine Hub
Enchantment (9)
1 Act of Authority
1 Faith's Fetters
1 Mystic Remora
1 Opposition
1 Parallax Tide
1 Parallax Wave
1 Reality Acid
1 Steel of the Godhead
1 Treachery
1 Grim Monolith
1 Lightning Greaves
1 Mana Vault
1 Sol Ring
1 Swiftfoot Boots
1 Sword of Feast and Famine
1 Sword of Fire and Ice
1 Tangle Wire
Creature (24)
1 Archaeomancer
1 Azorius Guildmage
1 Body Double
1 Consecrated Sphinx
1 Deadeye Navigator
1 Gilded Drake
1 Glen Elendra Archmage
1 Karmic Guide
1 Knight-Captain of Eos
1 Mnemonic Wall
1 Mulldrifter
1 Nevermaker
1 Phyrexian Metamorph
1 Reveillark
1 Sea Gate Oracle
1 Solemn Simulacrum
1 Sower of Temptation
1 Sphinx of Uthuun
1 Stoneforge Mystic
1 Sun Titan
1 Thada Adel, Acquisitor
1 Thassa, God of the Sea
1 Trinket Mage
1 Venser, Shaper Savant
1 Capsize
1 Cyclonic Rift
1 Fact or Fiction
1 Forbid
1 Hinder
1 Pact of Negation
1 Path to Exile
1 Return to Dust
1 Spell Crumple
1 Sphinx's Revelation
1 Swords to Plowshares
Sorcery (5)
1 Austere Command
1 Bribery
1 Planar Cleansing
1 Temporal Manipulation
1 Time Warp
Planeswalker (4)
1 Karn Liberated
1 Tamiyo, the Moon Sage
1 Tezzeret the Seeker
1 Venser, the Sojourner
This deck has been featured in Gathering Magic by Carlos Gutierrez
1. Grim Monolith and Mana Vault are simply ridiculous with Brago. They are strong in their own rights but they become oppressively powerful when you don't need to pay for their untap cost.
2. Mystic Remora may be a situational card but a situational card which net you advantage (tempo or card advantage itself) without anything significant in return is great.
3. Parallax Tide is one of my favourite card right now. You can soft lock certain opponent in an early game with Turn 3 Boot, Turn 4 Wave and Turn 5 Brago. This is especially good against those shock lands.
4. Reality Acid is hand down the best combo in this deck. It may not be as powerful as the game ending time magic combo but the refreshing feeling you get and the much more manageable mana cost make this combo my favourite right now.
This deck has been featured in Gathering Magic by Carlos Gutierrez
-Modern-
WMartyrProcB
BBurnR
-Commander-
I'm so sorry that I don't have time to test it as much as I would be able to give a sound evaluation, nevertheless, if it just a particular point with less than ten games experience then I can tell you that being able to activate Planeswalker twice in a row is not as good as it sounds.
For Karn Liberated, you will most likely choose a remove permanent ability as the first trigger. However, your opponent will surely aim toward a twice trigger Karn more than they should (say, the value of twice Karn is 200 unit, your opponents tend to freak out and evaluate it as 300 units) which will be a sound strategy for you if you have bigger threat on board which is unlikely. Thus; you will most likely lose Karn in the next turn unless you have a proper protection for him such as a big fat army to defer the attack which normally mean you are already winning. In short, Karn will be either a remove two permanents (which is rather not bad) or remove one permanent, one card in hand and may be one more card in hand unless you've already practically won the game.
Tamiyo, the Moon Sage is good planeswalker but she does not benefit THAT much from Brago. Consider her first ability, it automatically protects her to certain degree and renders her loyalty respectable so she should not have a problem to survive next turn. Reactivating it may be good if your opponent has big fat threat on board but just tapping stone or land is not that great. As for the second ability, it is a good surprise for the first time and it is arguably the best way to play her even in this deck, namely, drop her after someone tap out his front row, be that as it may, it is impractically for us to attack then activate her second ability for it should benefit us more to blink our own creatures.
Tezzeret the Seeker benefits greatly from Brago and vice versa. Tutor for sword, swing, more sword is probably the best turn 5 play (assuming you have at least one stone in your field to equip the first sword.) His first ability also allows us to have ridiculous mana advantage.
Venser, the Sojourner. The time paradox between Brago's and Venser's blink mechanics are workable (for instance, second ability, swing, blink acid, first ability) is back breaking to an opponent in early phase for sure. Multiply blink your biggest threats may seem appealing but let consider a real situation. You want to blink something pre-combat which means it cannot be used for the rest of your turn so it should not be a creature that can attack with Brago nor planeswalker who can be blinked twice later. Come to think of it, isn't it strictly better to blink twice rather than blink pre-combat? Hence; unless flying and swords is not enough for you to get through, Venser's first activation will most likely be the second ability.
If this kind of review is satisfactory, I'll complete an enchantment section tomorrow.
This deck has been featured in Gathering Magic by Carlos Gutierrez
-Modern-
WMartyrProcB
BBurnR
-Commander-
You said you didn't know what to remove, I guess I can help you with that.
Faith's Fetters, too costly for what it does, even with brago. Way better options out there.
Parallax Wave, I get that tide untaps your lands, but you don't even "combo" with this one to remove creatures permanently. If anything you're giving them another ETB.
Sphinx of Uthuun, looks great in theory and definitely when blinked. But really, if your opponents are any good they won't let you get to a stage where you consistently blink him. It's "win-more" in a nutshell.
Thada Adell, I like the card, she's great, what is she doing for your strategy though? instead of fetching their Gilded Lotus, you might as well play one to blink and reset for more mana.
Bribery, it's the staple every blue player wants to run, but really, this ain't doing anything for your strategy unless you want to blink them back to their control for some obscure reason.
All in all I'd cut some more of the fat for some more digging (like Ponder, Brainstorm) to get the actual pieces you want. Not flooding it with pieces that also work.
PS: the CIPT lands are also terrible, if you're facing stax you're doomed.
[Primer] Kozilek, Butcher with Juice.